Red light for waste

THE future of a curbside green waste bin service in the Shire of Yarra Ranges is up in the air.
In December last year the council agreed to introduce an optional fortnightly curbside green waste collection for people living in urban areas and townships in the Dandenong Ranges.
But the council has now decided to undertake more community consultation on the introduction of the service.
The council is now considering two options for billing the residents for the green waste bin service.
The first option is to have the bin charge separated from the annual rates notices, which mean residents who don’t want to use the bin service won’t be charged.
It is expected the bin charge would be $160 per year or $6 per collection.
The second option is to introduce a municipal waste charge, which will be included on residents annual rate notice.
A report to the council last Tuesday night recommended that the first option as the best course of action.
The council has now agreed to consult residents on the introduction of the service and the preferred payment method.
More than 47,000 residents will be sent information on the bin collection service, which will give people the opportunity to support or object the proposal.
Following the community consultation a report will be prepared for the council before any decisions are made.